Grrr, oh how painful stress can be not only to your mind but also your body. Each has their own stresses in life, and it is hard to quantify how "important" it is to each. Personally I am fairly stress free, but the continual battles I have with my ex over our daughter are forver and ever (12 years and counting).

I find music a great way to tune out from these stresses, and focus on other aspects of my life (work, family, friends). But sometimes no matter your body will feel the effects of that stress, even if you can "tune out" your mind.

I have many means to manage my stress, but music is constantly there up among the first things I need to calm myself. Ironically to calm myself I need metal ... nothing like some angry and raging riffs to cure your stresses. Some go to bands for me when I need to destress are: @systemofadown @machinehead @mastodon @parkwaydrive @isis @chevelle @deftones @dreamtheater

The week is coming to a close, and thankfully this weekend is a long one for me (WA Day). So that's always a bonus.

But how to make it through the last few hours of work? The answer:

"Music, sweet music" (to quote Martha's Dancing in the Streets).

Today it is Dream Theater's job to get me through the rest of the day. They should definitely be up for that :P

Anyone got any concerts lined up for this weekend? I am hoping to make the Machine Head concert in a few weeks, but there is a local hardcore/punk/metal festival happening this weekend (I think) that should be entertaining. Who knows might find some diamonds in the rough.

Do you enjoy checking out local bands?

So it has reached that time of day again!

Listening to just your iPod on random isn't satisfying, or the radio station has driven you insane. Time to bring out your "go to" music. This is the music that no matter your mood or circumstances always is a joy to listen to, and give you that pick me up you need.

For some this may be certain songs (perhaps a playlist), others perhaps a particular artist, and for others maybe a certain album.

Personally my "go to" artist is Dream Theater. I can listen to almost any of their songs or albums and it takes me away to my special little soft 'n furry place!

I also find Mastodon's Crack the Skye album and Machine Head's Blackening or Burn My Eyes albums always let me escape the hassles of whatever is clouding my mind "like peanut butter on the brain".

Of course I love a lot of other albums, but I tend to need to be in the mood for those ... these few albums and artists, no matter my mood they always give me just what I need, when I need it.

So do YOU have "go to" music?

Perhaps you've created a playlist (I use smart playlists in iTunes lots)? Or an artist? Or an album(s) or even a particular song?

Don't be shy to share!

Today I had the joy of discovering a new band whose sound I am really digging, and even better they are nearby.

I didn't go out looking for a new band, they just sort of come up in my searching. I think that is the best way to fixnd bands some times ... organically. How do you find new bands?

Radio isn't an option for me, as my genres get few if any air time. Some of the music channels on TV can give me a heads up, e.g. August Burns Red were a recent one I discovered off the box. But they tend to be few and far between. I tend to find review sites, such as Sputnik are my best bet or friends with similar music preferences.

Being a father to 3 I don't tend to get too many local gigs anymore, and most the acts aren't that impressive (especially in a studio setting).

Today though I just clicked on a random band that is based nearby, checked out their album stream on bandcamp and got into their sound. The band by the way is Bayou. They play southern / sludge metal and they love their riffs.

Out!

I thought I’d start a ‘musical’ journal as it were. Feel free to comment, give me advice, make recommendations or simply tell me to go tell someone who cares.

So the first question, in relation to music, that came into my mind today was:

Does the music you listen to relate to your emotions at the time or the events that prevailed your day?

Personally I find that sometimes the lyrical content of songs isn’t as important as the genre / style / sound of the music that are reflective of my moods. For example, at the moment I am listening to Obscure Sphinx.  Their lyrical themes tend to focus on depression, but I am feeling quite happy and content now. However, I need a little energy pick me up after lunch and their harshness mixed with symphonic metal is just what I felt like. I tend to find that a lot of the time; it is the sound of music that may “speak” more to my current state of emotions than the actual lyrics.

So what music will I listen to after Obscure Sphinx? Good question. I’ll still be at work for a few more hours … I might have to put my playlist on random until something grabs my interest. Any thoughts on your best songs to get through some Mondayitis?